Microsoft Azure is an open and flexible cloud platform that enables partners to rapidly build, deploy, and manage secure applications at scale on premises, in the cloud, or both. Bringing Azure to CSP enables partners to capitalize on this Azure opportunity with the capabilities of CSP, where partners own the end-to-end customer lifecycle with direct provisioning, billing, and support of Microsoft’s cloud services. In essence, partners are now able to transact the license along with their services to customers.

The Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS) is the comprehensive cloud solution to address your consumerization of IT, BYOD, and SaaS challenges. The suite is the most cost effective way to acquire all of the included cloud services: • Hybrid identity enabled by Azure Active Directory Premium • Mobile device management enabled by Microsoft Intune • Data protection enabled by Azure Rights Management service

Customers have the same data privacy protections regardless of how they purchase the service (e.g. if that be via Open, EA, or direct from Microsoft). All customers fall under the same privacy policy as outlined below. This means that customers own their data, can control their data, and their data is not used for advertising. Customers also need to understand the value and impact of their partner’s roles as global administrator for their service. For a deeper explanation about how Microsoft protects the privacy of customer data, visit the Microsoft Office 365 Trust Center

What goes to the partner and what is communicated directly to customers? Partners own the billing relationship with the customer and are responsible for communicating to their customers on their subscription, transaction, and status. Microsoft sends direct communications to customers as it relates to operating the service, such as providing important service incident information or how to get the most out of the capabilities provided by the service. In-product communications/notifications, such as in Message Center and service health information, will continue to appear within the customer’s own Microsoft Office 365 admin center.